Masters in HCI at Gatech vs CMU

<p>I have got admits from Georgia tech and Carnegie Mellon University for Masters in Human-Computer Interaction. I have not yet decided on the program to take as both are great schools with great programs. What do you think should be my choice?</p>

<p>Some aspects of both programs:</p>

<p>Gatech - 2 year program, No aid as of now but RA/TA's can be applied.
Overview</a> — College of Computing</p>

<p>CMU - 1 year program, No possibility of aid throughout, Costly compared to Gatech
Human-Computer</a> Interaction Institute - Carnegie Mellon University</p>

<p>Both programs are great but CMU option bothers me as I'll have to rush in a year and find my job immediately. Internship won't be possible, though I'll get to work in a 8 month long capstone project as a part of the course. </p>

<p>I also have general CS admits from Arizona State University (ASU), University of Southern California (USC) and North Carolina State University (NCSU). I have people telling me to take up general CS instead of HCI which is a niche field and could lead to problems while searching for a job.</p>

<p>What are your thoughts on these? Is there a possibility to switch to computer science masters from hci at gatech? </p>

<p>Pls help me out as I am not able to come to a conclusion.. thanks</p>

<p>I know several guys here chose the HCI program here over CMU's. The 2 year program definitely means you can land an internship over the summer.</p>

<p>
[quote]
No aid as of now but RA/TA's can be applied.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>RA/TA's are possible to get even in the first semester without an offer with the admission letter. This year, as it turns out, some profs even recruited TA's at orientation itself.</p>

<p>I can't say much more since I'm not intimately involved in it, but the people I know in it are happy with the program.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is there a possibility to switch to computer science masters from hci at gatech?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That might be tricky. HCI and general CS are completely different beasts here.</p>

<p>Maybe someone from HCI at either school can chime in.</p>

<p>CMU is an older program than GT. CMU's undergrad admittance is quite an accomplishment. DS has undergrad degrees from CMU-HCI, ME. He continued to Toronto-DGP for masters in CS. (still has never taken a computer or programing class )</p>

<p>Investigate some of the BS, MS, from CMU, <a href="http://hcii.cmu.edu/People/alumni.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://hcii.cmu.edu/People/alumni.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>If you are good and have good professors who have contacts, you shouldn't have too much problem in finding postgrad internships. DS did three consecutive internships.</p>

<p>If you are able, try to attend SIGCHI, Boston, April 4-9. <a href="http://www.chi2009.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.chi2009.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>while i have a great interest in hci and related area, i am not coming from computer sci background. that being said, i'd love to be in hcii at cmu. i personally like an idea of getting a master in 1 yr and do not think that'd necessarily be a disadvantage.</p>

<p>@gthopeful</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply.. I have been trying to get in touch with people currently doing their masters at Gatech.. Waiting for their reply.. </p>

<p>I don't think its possible at CMU as CMU doesn't have a general CS masters for non-CMU students.. I am an international student from India</p>

<p>@Longprime</p>

<p>I have been contacting people at both schools.. Gatech students swear by the program and have showed extra ordinary enthusiasm and confidence.</p>

<p>CMU students are doing great though most of them applied to the program as a means of gaining insights and didn't bother about jobs after that.. They have landed great jobs over time.. </p>

<p>I won't be able to attend SIGHCI as I am in INDIA :(</p>

<p>@noface</p>

<p>You don't require a CS degree to do HCI.. Check out the websites as it clearly states how people from different background take up HCI.. You can do amazing work at both these institutes !!</p>

<p>CMU has a very close relationship with the university of pittsburgh (which is located pretty much right across the street). pitt has a CS masters program and you may be able to take courses there. Department</a> of Computer Science | University of Pittsburgh</p>

<p>if you'd want to switch midway through your program from HCI to CS, maybe you should just go with one of your CS offers to begin with. if you really do prefer HCI, though, then stick with it and consider taking advantage of CMU's close relationship with pitt to get a few other courses in CS under your belt.</p>

<p>@pdilip</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon-Qatar, has a mini CHI, April 17-18. Bill Gates, Giving the keynote presentation.
ICTD</a> 2009</p>

<p>Hi Dilip,</p>

<p>what have you decided on? i’m also from India and wondering about the procedure for getting admissions for that course MS-HCI. It will be good if you can share the TOEFL/GRE marks that got you offers from CMU :)</p>

<p>Thanks
Arun</p>

<p>My scores are:</p>

<p>Acads(78%)
GRE(1250 - 780+470)
TOEFL (114)</p>

<p>Word of advice: Its not your scores that get you into great programs. They are just a part of your overall profile…</p>

<p>May I ask you where you did your undergrad?</p>

<p>To the OP:</p>

<p>I am really interested in CMU and GTech’s HCI programs… Other than your GPA and test scores, what else were standing out?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Hi sang54…did u get info on these?i am also looking at HCI in CMU…</p>

<p>Charanya, you are replying to and reviving to a post from 2009.</p>